Apachi Rogers Park

Located at Bernard Horwich JCC, Apachi Rogers Park is a hidden gem in the community, providing campers with a one-of-a-kind exploration of Judaism and self. You may not see it from our front doors, but venture out back and you’ll discover a gorgeous, park-like setting, for sunny camp days packed with all the fun and friends of Apachi. With swim lessons, theme days, field trips, cookouts, and sports, campers thrive in our Torah-enriched community while exploring new interest, gaining skills, and creating lifelong friendships.

Enhanced Programming for Summer 2019!

For 4th and 5th grade campers

New! Specialty Tracks
EcoApachi – Budding biologists, engineers, environmentalists and artists will have an opportunity to explore living things and our world through hands-on activities and experiments

Social Action – Campers who want to change the world will have a chance to work together with staff on special projects that will make the world a better place

For V’OD campers

New! Build parts of their camp schedule

Apachi Rogers Park In Action

Wendy Singer

Director, Apachi Rogers Park

After 15 years with Apachi J Camp, it’s safe to say Wendy Singer loves Apachi. She knows for a fact there is nothing better than giving campers and staff life-long memories and positive experiences. There is no place Wendy would rather be than outside playing with campers, and she is a firm believer there is no better office than the outdoors. Wendy feels true joy working as the Director of Apachi Rogers Park, and spends every day working to make sure each camper walks away with that same feeling.

Wendy holds a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies and Minors in Psychology and Sociology from Indiana University, and received her M.S. in Non-Profit Management from Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership. When she is not at work, Wendy spends her time as an amateur genealogist, and currently has over 1500 people in her family tree.

Sample 50/50 block

Overnight Camp

Try Chi

Try Chi is our 4-day, 3-night overnight camp experience for 2nd-6th graders at Camp Chi in Lake Delton, WI. Campers meet new friends and live in cabins with experienced, caring counselors who help them feel comfortable right away. They’ll feel the spirit of camp with cookouts, campfires, sing-alongs and great evening programs.

Friendship requests

Our incredible specialty program encourages campers to explore and try a little bit everything – from flag football to fashion design and everything in-between. Immersed in Torah learning opportunities with our on-site Judaic Educators, everyone comes together for Shabbos celebrations, cookouts, theme days, field trips, as well as our own fantastic, high-spirited Color War games.

American Red Cross Swim Program

Boys and girls are taught to swim at Apachi Rogers Park in separate swim lessons using the American Red Cross’ Learn-to-Swim program, which focuses on building skills one step at a time. By giving campers the opportunity to master one element before moving on to the next, it makes it easy to build confidence in the water.

Safety is our priority and all members of our Aquatics staff are American Red Cross certified lifeguards with CPR training for the professional rescuer. We have at least two lifeguards safeguarding the pool at all times. Counselors are in the water with children and a swim instructor is assigned to each small group.

Yedidim campers swim 2 times a week (coed)

Chaverim campers swim 3 times a week (coed)

Dimyonah, Sport and V’Od campers swim 3 times a week (separate swim times by gender)

Chavayah campers swim 2 times a week (separate swim times by gender)

Testing, Placement and Progress Reports

Campers are tested at the beginning of summer and placed in an appropriate swim level based on their skills. They pass through levels based on both formal and informal testing. Progress reports are sent home at the end of the summer with a summary your swimmer’s skills and accomplishments.

Observing Swim Lessons

For the safety and security of our campers, Apachi Rogers Park is not open to visitors. If you are interested in observing swim instruction, please contact Wendy Singer, Camp Director.

Convenient carpool and drop-off and pick-up

Campers will be escorted to and from your car at the start and end of the camp day. Staff will help direct traffic and will assist campers with buckles. Please do NOT get out of the car. Enter our lot ONLY on Touhy taking the exit that’s the furthest west. Use only the drop-off zone when dropping off or picking up.

Morning carpool line opens at 9:20am and closes at 9:40am

Afternoon carpool line opens at 3:30pm and closes at 3:45pm

If your child is dismissed at 2:00pm, you must come into the building to sign out your child.

Once your camper is safely in your car, please exit right onto Touhy. If you need to wait for an extended period of time, you will be asked to wait in the holding zone.

Walking? Children walking home without adult supervision or meeting parents who are arriving on foot will leave the building at the exit door and be walked to the Touhy/Sacramento intersection. Two JCC crossing guards will help children cross the street.

Camp groups

Your child will be in a group of approximately 14-16 children based on registration, age and friendship requests. Kids in Kindergarten and younger can be in a co-ed group. We mix grades, depending on enrollment, in our Dimyonah, Sport, V’od and Chavayah groups.

Food at summer camp

Campers work up a big appetite during their active days at Apachi J Camp! We ask campers to pack a diary or pareve sack lunch and a snack daily. Our 4 year-olds and Kindergartners receive a daily morning snack. We do offer an end of day freeze pop to all campers and optional Add-On for pizza day on Fridays. We keep sack lunches indoors; and please don’t forget to write your camper’s name on the bag.

Food allergies

Safety and inclusion are top priorities at JCC Chicago Day Camps. Our camps are committed to being allergy-safe. While our camps are not allergen-free, we strive to make our camp environments as safe as possible for children with food allergies using a customized approach and working closely with each family to develop an action plan for the child. More information can be found here.

Immunizations & Health Forms

To participate in camp, campers must have a completed health form signed by a physician on file. We also require documentation of immunizations.

Share Your Apachi Love

Apachi is very special and we want to thank you for telling your friends and family about camp. Receive $75 off your camp fee for each NEW camper that registers for Apachi and lists you as their referral source!

Please Note: Ages and grades listed below are as of the 2019-20 school year.

Preschool Summer Camp

Summer is a perfect time to engage your child’s imagination through hands-on experiences in music, water-play, exploration and art. Classes are lead by Early Childhood educators, with or without a parent or caregiver, and include plenty of time for discovery both indoors and out. Learn more.

Chavayah Overnight Camp for Girls

At JCC Chavayah Overnight Camp, Orthodox girls break out of their normal routine. They climb a little higher, dig a little deeper and find a home away from home on a private lake, surrounded by 600 acres of majestic woods, with groomed fields overflowing with endless activities, uplifting spirit, kind community and non-stop laughter. Learn more.

Yedidim | Girls & Boys | 4 Years

Nurturing, experienced staff guide our littlest campers in exciting camp activities and traditional Orthodox teachings in tefilot, mitzvot and brachot. Small group sizes help campers build confidence and develop new friendships while enjoying fun-filled days of art, sports, music and twice weekly swim instruction. The camp day ends at 2:00pm for Yedidim. For an additional fee, campers can extend their days until 3:30pm.

Chaverim | Girls & Boys | Grade K

Nurturing, experienced staff guide our littlest campers in exciting camp activities and traditional Orthodox teachings in tefilot, mitzvot and brachot. Small group sizes help campers build confidence and develop new friendships while enjoying fun-filledd days of art, sports, music and swim instruction three times each week. The camp day ends at 2:00pm for Chaverim. For an additional fee, campers can extend their days until 3:30pm.

Dimonyah | Girls | Grades 1-3

Age–appropriate and grade-specific fun and creativity for girls, includes weekly field trips, learning with Judaic Educators, swimming four days each week and specialty activities including gymnastics and mixed media arts. First and second graders have a special late night BBQ at the J. Third graders have a late night program and participate in a weekly choice specialty program.

Sports | Boys | Grades 1-3

This unique camp combines team sports, contests and game play with an innovative Judaic curriculum. All campers take field trips to sporting events and local attractions, swim four days each week, daven daily and learn with our Judaic Educators twice each week. First and second graders have a special late night and BBQ at the JCC! Third graders have a late night program and participate in a weekly choice specialty program.

Dimonyah V’od | Girls | Grades 4-5

Girls love the variety in this program. Along with favorite camp activities, weekly field trips and a special late night undernighter encouraging independence, girls choose their own specialty activities to enjoy three times a week. Campers swim four days each week, daven daily and learn with our onsite Judaic Educators twice each week. During Session 1, Dimonyah V’od campers travel to Wisconsin for Taste of Chavayah, a two night overnight camp experience.

Sports V’od | Boys | Grades 4-5

Enthusiastic athletes find more choice, variety, league play and compelling Jewish study in this competitive sports program focusing on improving skills and developing sportsmanship. Campers choose their own specialty activities, swim four days each week, daven twice daily and learn with our onsite Judaic Educators twice each week. Weekly field trips and a super-sports late night program add excitement and encourage independence.

Chavayah | Girls | Grades 6-8

Experienced campers love this on-the-go experience that combines urban discovery with outdoor adventure. Girls head out three times a week on full-day adventures to museums, sporting events, behind the scenes tours and amusements. Campers enjoy one overnighter to bond with friends and spend 2 days each week participating in camp activities and choice specialties including swimming, social action and Judaic learning.

CIT | Girls & Boys | Grades 8-10

Develop leadership and communication skills, while serving as a role model for children. CITs assist teachers and counselors with swimming, sports, art and more, while participating in field trips and special service projects. Successful completion of this program makes the CIT eligible to apply for a staff position the summer before entering 11th grade.

Apachi Rogers Park + Chavayah Overnight Camp Combos | Grades 5-8

8 Week Combo | 5th-8th Grade
Get the best of both worlds! Spend 3.5 weeks attending Chavayah Overnight Camp and the rest of the summer at Apachi Rogers Park at a discounted price. That is 20% off overnight camp when you combine with day camp for a full JCC summer!

Looking for a different Apachi J Camp?

JCC Chicago is a non-profit organization inspired by Jewish values, bridging traditions and generations to create a more vibrant, connected community. JCC is a partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving our community.